‘Tis the season for last-minute stitching—and patterns we return to again and again. The fibre space team shares their favorite patterns for their quick handmade gifts.
Danielle’s pick
Winter Hood
I love the versatility of this pattern! You can cover your head or just use it as a warm cowl. It knits up in quickly in a worsted weight yarn held with mohair, and feels like a super luxurious gift. Squishy and cozy, I love mixing and matching the Knitting for Olive Heavy Merino with Soft Silk Mohair creating new color combos! Knitting for Olive has some great swatch videos on their Instagram to help you see how different colors of Soft Silk Mohair look when held double with Heavy Merino, too. –Danielle
Jillian’s pick
The Lowkey Bandana
The Lowkey Bandana is a great last-minute gift. While the pattern calls for sport weight yarn, you can play around with gauge with a variety of yarns. It’s great in Spincycle Dyed in the Wool for a colorful version, or you could use De Rerum Natura Ulysse. You could also create a linen-cotton one for warmer weather with Kelbourne Woolens Mojave! –Jillian
Linda’s picks
The Mandarine Headband
Stylish and warm, the Mandarine Headband is done in a day, with a soft, chunky yarn. I like this in an extra bulky and soft yarn like Pascuali Maximo. –Linda
Soft Kitty Cat Ears
Another one I love making and gifting is the Soft Kitty Cat Ears hat! The pattern has sizes for adults and kids, and there are options for it to be knitted flat or in the round. It’s cute and easy, and works well in Manos Del Uruguay Ideal, Rosários 4 Terra, or Noro Malvinas. –Linda
Darian’s picks
Dancing Droplet Skinny Scarf
The Dancing Droplet Skinny Scarf is an easy-to-memorize pattern that shows off hand-dyed and multicolored yarn. It takes about 240 yards, or roughly one skein of most DK-weight yarns. It’s a great match for Miss Babs’ beautiful colorways in Yowza or Killington! –Darian
Tin Can Knits’ Basic Beanie and Everyday Socks
Tin Can Knits’ Basic Beanie and Everyday Socks patterns are sized for babies to adults and have modifications for various yarn weights. There are endless ways to personalize these two patterns just for the recipient! A super-warm hat in Knitting for Olive Heavy Merino or a pair soft, washable, comfy house socks in Manos del Uruguay Alegría Grande will always be appreciated! –Darian
Heather’s picks
Toft Amigurumi
Amigurumi are fun to make and fun to receive! If you’re low on supplies, grab one of these Toft kits that come with everything you need (including stuffing, hook, and needle!). If you’ve got the supplies, find new patterns in one of the Toft pattern books, like Edward’s Menagerie, by Kerry Lord. Most patterns are written for DK-weight yarn, but you can use other weights (the amount of yarn you will need may change, however). Rosários 4 Regata is perfect for these patterns! If I’m using a wool yarn for these, I like Wooldreamers Mota; it has some fantastic colors that will add a lot of personality to your gift, and the worsted-spun yarn lends a nice, slightly fuzzy effect to your stitches. –Heather
Tristesse Earrings
If you have even less time than you thought, try crocheting a pair of earrings! Some patterns will require hoops for intricate designs, but these Tristesse granny square earrings are on trend, and will work up quickly! You don’t need a lot of experience with making jewelry to attach the earring hooks—a pair needle nose pliers and some fishhook ear wires or lever-back clasps, and you’ll have a pair made in no time. Scraps of Spincycle Dyed in the Wool, Kelbourne Skipper or Mojave, or Rosários 4 Regata all work well. Or add some glitter with Miss Babs Estrellita or Kremke Stellaris! –Heather
Olga’s picks
Roku
The Roku reversible hat, knit in worsted weight yarn, has multiple options and suggestions for personalization in three different sizes. De Rerum Natura Gilliatt or Manos del Uruguay Ideal will show off the stitch definition and clean lines! –Olga
Boshoku Cowl
I also love the Boshoku Cowl, crocheted in a bulky-weight yarn. The stitches really pop! You could make this a colorful cowl with Spincycle Plump or use a single-color yarn, like De Rerum Natura Cyrano or Manos Del Uruguay Cardo. –Olga
